Fan ring



Oct. 3, 1950 N. B. LAU BACH ETAL 2,524,390"

FAN RING l Filed Sept. 20, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 C 0J Y h5 0 2 CR. N 9 o 3, m @Q www m 4 WUV .l n, .im A 0 c. 2 m u 6 as s 2 o nl 2 i a o UN. `v... B

N. LAU BACH ETAL FAN RING Oct. 3, 1950 Filed Sept. 20, 1948 Patented Oct. 3, 1950 FAN RING Neal B. LauBach and John Tex., assgnors B. Baird, Houston,

to Hudson Engineering Corporation, Houston, Tex., a corporation of Texas Application September 20, 1948, Serial No. 50,086

l 9'Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in fan rings and refers more particularly to fan rings used in conjunction with large fans employed in induced draft apparatus for use in installations such as, for example, cooling towers used `in cooling water for industrial uses.

In installations of this character the individual fan blades often are seven (7) to ten (10) feet long or even longer and thus the fan ring, within which the fan blades turn in operation, may have to be twenty (20) feet or even greater in diameter. In order to obtain the maximum efficiency from the fans the blade tips, a-s the fan operates, should remain a constant distance from the inner wall of the fan ring and the clearance between thefan blade tips and the inner wall of the fan ring should be as small as is practicable for the individual installation.

Heretofore, in construction of this type, fan rings of the sizes indicated have necessarily been cast or fabricated in two or more segments for transportation, and these segments are then welded, riveted or bolted together in the eld at the installation site. Due to the fact that such segments become distorted or warped as a result of welding and galvanizing operations, it has been impossible to design and install these rings so as to provide nearly cylindrical internal fan ring walls and for this reason it has been the practice to install these rings with such great clearance between the fan ring wall and the tips of the blades that the efficiency of the fan, in operation, is materially cut down. This has been thought to be a necessary practice because the fan blade tips must clear the innermost point on the interior of the fan ring wall.

Furthermore, structures used in the past, if made of light members, have not provided rigidity, and if made of heavy materials or if provided with bracing to make them rigid enough, became quite expensive. None of the prior structures provide joints with lateral stability and rigidity between the segments yet provide the requisite adjustment for accurately sizing the assembled fan ring.

Another disadvantage of the conventional fan ring structures is that these rings, due to the heavy construction required to give them rigidity, do not lend themselves to adjustment as to contour upon installation. Also the large, heavy segments of the conventional ian rings are wasteful of material and are bulky and diflicult to handle in both storage and in shipping. In addition, the weight of these units requires a heavier and more rugged supporting structure than would otherwise be required in many installations.

An object of this invention is to provide a fan ring which may be readily assembled at the installation site in substantially true cylindrical form.

Another object is to provide a fan ring that `is both lightweight and rugged.Y

A further object is to provide a fan ring that may be designed and installed to provide very little, but uniform, clearance between the fan ringand the tips of the fan blades.

Still another object is to provide a fan ring that may .be made up of a number of'prefabricated sections, each fabricated from smaller segments of sheet metal, that are easily handled in fabricating, galvanizing, storage and shipping.

A still further object is to provide a composite ian ring madeup of a number of prefabricated sections in such fashion that the positions of some of the sections may be shifted relative to other of the sections, to provide for adjustment of the contour of the finished ring, yet with lateral stability and rigidity in the adjustable joints.

Yet another object is to provide special and novel sheet metal segments and sections, on a prefabricated basis, which carry means both to facilitate assembly of a rigid composite fan ring Wof accurate size and shape, and to add to the l strength of the individual segmental parts and sections.

Other and further objects of this invention will appear from the description. l

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the instant specification and are tobe read in conjunction therewith, like reference numerals are. used to indicate like parts in the various views:

Fig. 1 is a vertical, sectional view of a fan ring embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the fan ring shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view upon an enlarged scale of the left end ofthe fan ring shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view illustrating in detail the adjustable means for securing two adjacent segments of a ian ring together;

Fig. 5 is a view taken along the line 5--5 in Fig. 4 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a detailed elevational view upon a large scale of one of the segments of the flared portion of the fan ring shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 7 is a detail of a prefabricated section from which the fan ring of Fig. 1 may be readily built up.

Referring to the drawings, more particularly Fig. l, the fan ring is seen to comprise an upper cylindrical portion It) and a lower ared portion II. Each of these portions of the fan ring is in turn fabricated from a plurality of segments in which the adjoining edges of adjacent segments are secured together. Preferably, in the upper portion, these adjoining edges are secured together in such manner that the position of one segment, relative to adjacent segments on the same level, may be adjusted circumferentially whereby the cylindrical portion IIB may be made up to provide a substantially true cylindrical inner surface. The fan ring may be supported by any suitable sub-structure such as the deck I2 of a cooling tower or the like. in the interest of simplicity a showing of the fan and its mounting is omitted from the drawings. The fan and its mounting may be in accordance with conventional practice with the axis of rotation of the fan and the axis of lthe fan ring in alignment.

Referring to the cylindrical portion or shell ID,

segments I3 are arcuate members preferably of thin sheet metal and each segment may have a main web portion shaped as though it were formed by bowing a flat rectangular plate. The bow or arc of each segment substantially conforms toI the desired cylindrical surface of the composite ring. Preferably the length of Athe curved dimension of the'segments is great as compared to the width thereof and it has been found to be satisfactory to utilize a length which Yis approximately one sixth or even less of the total circumference of 'the composite cylindrical shell. However, it is preferable that this length be about the quotient of the circumference of the completed ring divided by some digit. Usually the Width of the segments I3 is such as to constitute one half or `less of the axial length of the composite cylindrical shell I0. By `way of example, for a fan ring having a diameter of, say 14 feet, segments having a curved length of substantially one sixth the circumference of the ring and a width of one third of the axial length of the ring have been found to be entirely satisfactory.

Referring to Figs. 4 'and5, it will be seen that the arcuate edges have ilanges I4 and I5 Vformed thereon which extend outwardly. These flanges strengthen the web and also constitute a part of the means adjustably securing adjoining edges of adjacent segments together in the prefabricated sections and Vin the-assembled fan ring. In l order that the adjoining edges of adjacent segments may be readily secured together in 'an'adjusted relative position of the adjacent sections, it is preferred to form one flange with holes and the other with registering slots. For example, flange Id may have a plurality of holes 'Illa and ange I5 a plurality of slots I5a. Slots I5a should extend along an arc concentric with the web portion of the segment. The holes Maand slots I5@ are Vso arranged in the anges that the holes of one segment will register with the slots of another such segment whereby fastening elements may be secured therebetween and the position of adjacent segments can be shifted somewhat relative toeach other for adjustment purposes due to the length of the slots Ilia. Ordinary rivets or nuts and bolts or studs and nuts may be used as fastening elements if desired.

Obviously the Ystraight edges of segments I3 must be equipped with means to facilitate a ready and adjustable connection of adjoining edges of adjacent sections. It is desirable that this fastening means be such that the adjoining edges may be secured in tight abutment or in such manner as to provide a selected space between the edges. Also it is desirable that means be provided for substantially sealing any such space.

A means for accomplishing this is shown in Fig. 4. The web portions of the segments I3 are provided with an out-turned flange I6 at one end and out-turned flange I'I at the other end. These flanges in the preferred embodiment are provided by securing angle irons to the web of material adjacent the straight edges of the web. Angle iron It is spaced somewhat from the edge at one end of the segment in order that an offset portion I8 of the web of an adjacent segment may overlap the end of the nrst segment and thus provide a substantial seal between the adjoining edges of thesegments. This offset portion I8 may be formed integrallyof the web of a segment I3. The dimensions of this offset portion are such that it readily fits within the flanges I4 and I5 of the adjacent segment. Flanges IS and I'I are perforated and adjoining ones of these flanges on adjacent segments` may be secured together by suitable fastening elements such as, for example, studs IQ. The studs I9 are provided with nuts 2!) which on instal-lation are positioned between the flanges I6 and I'I, and are provided also with nuts 2l adjacent the ends of the studs. By adjusting the nuts land r2| upon the studs le, the flanges i6 and I'I may be secured in adjusted relative positions to adjust the relative positions of the adjoining straight edges of adjacent segments and the portion I8 will overlap the space, if any, between the adjoining edges lto substantially seal the joint.

It Will be seen that a number ofY the segments just described may be readily secured together to provide a composite fan rin-g. Due to the adjustable nature of the means for securing the ends of adjacent segments 'on the same level to each other, the positions of the individual segments Vmay be adjusted as required to facilitate assembly of the fan `ring in a substantially true cylindrical shell form. In accordance with this invention the joints between sections on successive levels are staggered or offset to give r ing operations, caused by "expansion Aand contraction as the metal is heated andcooled. Also, once a joint has been welded, it is very difficult to make any requisite adjustment to bring the composite fan ring into the desired shape. In

addition, -the fflanges and angle irons utilized in the fabrication of the segments of this invention add to the strength of the structure.

`Fan Vrings consructed in accordance with this invention have been found to be entirely satisfactory where the segments are fabricated from ldgauge sheet metal and wherein the angle irons I-oand 'I'l are made from 12gauge mateirial for rings having diameters up to 14 feet and even greater.

Preferably the complete segment is fabricated `with all the holesand slots formed therein and l Athe perforated anglesV Iii and I'i'se'cured thereto andthen the entire"segment galvanized.

Referring now to the flared portion Il of the fanring, this portion is made up of a plurality 'of cuadrangular segments 22. `Segments 22 preferably have a flat main body `web and are formed with outwardly extending edge flanges 23, 24, 25 and 26. These flanges may be provided with holes 23a, slots 24a, and holes 25a and 26a respectively. The flanges 24 are secured to the cooling tower deck or other supporting structure with suitable fastening elements passing through the holes 24a. The flange 26 of an individual segment 22 will be secured to the flange I5 of one of the lowermost segments I3 by fastening elements extending through holes 26a and slots I5a. The segment 22 has an adjustable mounting upon the segment I3 which is provided by the slots I 5a and the registering holes 26a. This mounting is substantially the same as that for `securing together adjacent flanges I4 and I5 of adjacent segments I3. Adjacent segments `22 may be secured together by passing fastening elements between registering holes 23a and 25a of adjacent segments.

In order to substantially reduce corrosion of the metal of segments 22, the segments are preferably galvanized after the flanges have been formed and the holes made in the nanges. The flanges add considerably to the strength of the structure and also the flat characteristic of the main web portion of segments 22 adds additional strength to the structure of the composite fan ring.

In order to facilitate assembling the composite fan ring, and to add greatly to the lateral stability and rigidity of the adjustable joints, it has been found desirable to prefabricate segmental sections of the composite structure. These sections are then transported to the installation site and assembled into a composite ring. Olne of these sections is shown in Fig; 7 and comprises three segments I3 secured t0- gether in staggered relationship. Along the lower arcuate edge of the lowermost segment I3 there are secured three plates or segments 22. The end segments 27 and 28 differ somewhat from segments 22. Segment 21 is the same as segment 22 except that its left edge is formed with an offset portion 29 and an out-turned flange provided by angle iron 30. The portion 29 and angle iron 3B correspond in function to the offset portion I8 and angle or flange I'I of segments I3. Segment 28 is similar to segments 22 except that its left edge, as viewed in the drawings, is provided with an out-turnedflange 3I which is also provided by an angle iron se- Cured to the segment. This flange 3| is spaced somewhat inwardly of the edge of the segment and functions in the same manner as does the flange I6 of the segment I3.

This section, shown in Fig. 4, may be readily assembled in a fabricating plant and yet the sections when assembled are small and light enough to be readily handled in storage or transportation.

As already pointed out, the segments I3 are placed together in staggered relation and the segments 22, 27 and 28 are alsosecured to one of the segments I3 in such fashion as to provide a staggered effect. It is to be understood that this staggered effect may be in any desired form but that all sections to be built into a single fan ring should be similarly constructed so that adjoining edges of adjacent sections will interlock or mate. In the example shown in Fig. 7 the segments I3 are secured together in such fashion as to provide in effect yoke arms at one end and a tongue at the other end. The segment 21 is spaced inwardly from the end of one' Aof the segments I3 and the segment 28 overlaps or projects from the other end of the segment I3. In this preferred embodiment of a prefabricated section, the free arcuate edges of segment I3 have the alternate slot-and-hole arrangement heretofore described which facilitates securing adjoining edges of the tongue and groove of adjacent sections in an adjusted position. The means for adjustably and sealingly securing the adjoining straight edges of adjacent segments I3 of adjacent sections further facilitates the assembly of the fan ring in a substantially true cylindrical form. 4

It will be seen that the objects of this invention have been accomplished. There has been provided a light-Weight fan ring structure that may be assembled in nearly a true cylindrical form. The arrangement is such that the contour of the: fan ring may be adjusted within limits even afterl assembly, and thus the clearance requirement: between the fan ring and the tips of a fan blademay be reduced to a minimum to increase thef eiiiciency of the fan in operation. The construc-r tion provides a fan ring that is light and sturdy. conserves material, and which may be econom-r ically treated so as to prevent corrosion. The segmental parts from which the fan is constructed may be easily and inexpensively formed and are.- readily assembled either in a prefabricated section or directly into a composite ring. The arrangement of the segments is such that a means is: provided for facilitating assembly of the segmentsl into adjusted relative positions with complete rigidity in the adjustable joints due to the inter-v tting and interlocking of the segments I3 of adjacent sections. Also the component parts may be readily fabricated from sheet metal in nearly' any metal-working shop with relatively little capital investment in equipment.

It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed Without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

The invention having been described, what is claimed is:

l. As a sub-combination, an arcuate sheet metal segment adapted for use in constructing composite fan rings of the character described, said segment comprising a cuadrangular web of material, outwardly extending anges at the edges of the web, two oppositely disposed flanges being spaced somewhat inwardly of the adjacent edges, and a portion of the web between one of the latter flanges and its adjacent edge being offset somewhat relative to the main body of the web but residing in a substantially concentric arc with that described by the main body of the web, the other two flanges carrying perforations to facilitate assembly of the segment in a composite fan ring, the complete segment after fabrication being galvanized.

2. As a sub-combination, a prefabricated section adapted for use in constructing `composite fan rings of the character described,` said section comprising an arcuate web of sheet metal having parallel arcuate edges, one end of the web providing yoke arms and the othei1 end of the web being formed with a tongue, the inner edges, of the yoke arms corresponding in size and shape with the outer edges of the tongue so that the tongue of one ofthe adjacent sections when assembled in a composite ring, may be readily set within the yoke arms of the other, and means carried by the yoke arms and tongue facilitating assembly of the sections in interlocked, adjusted position with the tongue of one section secured to the arms of the other section of two adjacent sections.

3. As a sub-combination, a prefabricated section adapted for use in construction composite fan rings of the character described, said section comprising an arcuate web of sheet metal having parallel arcuate edges, one end of the web providing yoke arms and the other end of the web being formed with a tongue, the inner edges of the yoke arms corresponding in size and shape with the outer edges of the tongue so that the tongue of one of the adjacent sections when assembled in a composite ring, may be readily set within the yoke arms of the other, and means carried by the yoke arms and tongue facilitating assembly of the sections in interlocked, adjusted position with the tongue of one section secured to the arms of the other section of two adjacent sections, with the spaces between adjoining end edges of the adjacent sections substantially sealed.

4. As a sub-combination, a prefabricated sec tion adapted for use in constructing composite fan rings of the character described, said section comprising three arcuate sheet metal segments having long arcuate dimensions as compared to the widths and each being substantially n the same as the other in size and shape, said segments secured together along their arcuate edges in staggered relation, out-turned anges along the free portions of the arcuate edges of the segments to facilitate assembly of the sections in a composite ring in adjusted position relative to adjacent sections in the ring and means secured adjacent the straight edges of the segments whereby the adjoining straight edges of adjacent sections may be adjustablyand sealingly secured together on assembly of the sections in a composite fan ring.

5. The sub-combination of claim 4 wherein a plurality of flat, quadrangular segments, greater in number than the arcuate segments, are secured to one outside arcuate edge of one of the outside arcuate segments, the adjoining edges of adjacent flat segments secured together, the flat segments extending from the arcuate segments in flared relation, the Ilat segment at one end of i,

the arcuate segment to which the flat segments are secured extending beyond the arcuate segment and the flat segment at the other end of said latter arcuate segment being set in the same amount as the flat segment at the other end stands out, a means carried by the end flat segments for adjustably and sealingly securing the adjoining edges of adjacent flat segments of adjacent sections together when the sections are assembled in a composite fan ring.

6. A fan ring comprising a substantially cylindrical shell made. up of a plurality of sheet metal segments, each segment having an arcuate web portion with four edges, two opposite edges being straight and two opposite edges being arcuate, flanges on the arcuate edges of the webs, means for securing adjoining arcuate langes of adjacent segments in adjusted relative position which means includes slots formed in one of the arcuate flanges along a line concentric with the assembled 8 shell, holes in the other arcuate. iiange registering with the slots and fastening elements extending therethrough, and means carried by the webs along their straight edges for securing adjoining straight edges together in substantially sealed and adjusted relationship.

7,. A fan ring comprising a substantially` cylindrical shell made up of a plurality of sheet metal segments, each segment having an arcuate web portion with four edges, two opposite edges being straight and two opposite edges being arcuate, flanges on the arcuate edges of the Webs, means for securing adjoining arcuate flanges of adjacent segments in adjusted relative position which means includes slots formed in one of the arcuate anges along a line concentric with the assembled shell, holes in the other arcuate,flangeregistering with the slots and fastening elements extending therethrough, means carried by the webs along their straight edges for securing adjoining straight edges together in substantially sealed and adjusted relationship, and a coating of galvanizing over the entire surface of each segment.

8. A fan ring comprising a substantially cylindrical shell made up of a plurality of sheet metal segments, each segment having an arcuate portion with four edges, two opposite edges being straight and tWo opposite edges being arcuate, anges on the arcuate edges of the webs, lmeans for securing adjoining arcuate flanges of adjacent segments in adjusted relative position which means includes slots formed in one of the arcuate anges al-ong a line concentric with the assembled shell, holes in the other arcuate flange registering with the slots and fastening elements extending therethrough, means carried by the webs along their straight edges for securing adjoining straight edges together in substantially sealed and adjusted relationship, and a coating of galvanizing over the entire surface of each segment, the means for securing together adjoining straightk edges including outwardly extending flanges along the straight edges and fastening elements adjustably securing the flanges together, one `of the flangesy spaced somewhat from one of the straight edges and an offset portion extending from the web beyond the ange at the other edge, said offset portion residing in a cylinder concentric with the assembled ring and having a slightly greater diameter than the ring, saidY offset portion adapted to overlap the adjoining straight edgeof an adjacent segment upon assembly.

9. A fan ring comprising a substantially cylindrical shell made up of a plurality of sheet metal segments, each segment having an arcuate web portion with four edges, two opposite edges being straight and two opposite edges being arcuate, flanges on the arcuate edges of the webs, means for securing adjoining arcuate flanges of adjacent segments in adjusted relative position which means includes slots formed in one of the arcuate flanges along a line concentric with the assembled shell, holes in the other arcuate flange registering with the slots and fastening elements extending therethrough, means carried by the webs along their straightV edges for securing adjoining straight edges together in substantially sealed and adjusted realtionship, and a coating of galvanizing over the entire surface of each segment, the means for securing` together adjoining straight edges including outwardly extending flanges along the straight edges and fastening elements adjustably securing the flanges together,

9 10 one of the anges spaced somewhat from one of REFERENCES CITED the straight edges and an offset portion extending T from the web beyond the flange at the other edge, me nsf ftggggerens are of record in the said oiset portion residing in a cylinder concentric with the assembled ring and having a slightly 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS greater diameter than the ring, said offset por- Number Name Date tion adapted to overlap the adjoining straight 2,191,341 Curley Feb. 20,1940 edge of an adjacent segment upon assembly, the 2,466,827 Roth Apr. 12, 1949 flanges at the straight edges of the segments being angle irons secured to the Webs of the seg- 10 ments.

NEAL B. LAUBACH. JOHN B. BAIRD, 

